My chances as a student from Australia for the Ivies?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey everyone,</p>

<p>This is my first post, so hi to everyone out there.</p>

<p>Right, well I just got my May SAT I's in, and the results are in my opinion quite decent as I took this test only to get a feel for the exam, since I didn't really have time to prepare for it.</p>

<p>Critical Reading - 720
Math - 720
Writing - 700
TOTAL = 2140</p>

<p>I am also taking the SAT II Physics, French, and Math II subject tests in June, and I plan on taking the Reasoning again in November or December (this time with study, so I hope to improve by approx. 200-250 points which would take me to about 2300).</p>

<p>Regarding EC's and Awards, I do quite a lot.</p>

<p>• 1st in the Benjamin Franklin House Science Fair, which was assessed by Benjamin Franklin House Scientists based in London.
• Invited to attend the Johns Hopkins University Creative and Talented Youth Program
• 2005 - Received Certificate of Distinction in the Intermediate Division of the Australian Mathematics Competition for the Westpac Awards.
• 2005 - Received a Certificate of Distinction in the Australasian Schools Science Competition
• 2005 - Received a Certificate of High Distinction in the Australasian Schools Mathematics Competition
• 2006 - Received a partial scholarship to the United States Advanced Space Academy in Huntsville, Alabama.
• 2006 - Received a B (b) grade in the IGCSE, GCE ‘O’ level Additional Mathematics Exam, administered by the University of Cambridge.
• Selected as one of 25 Australian students to attend the 2007 Australian International Space School.
• Received a Certificate of Merit in the 2007 Australian National Chemistry Quiz.
• Only student to receive the Hale School Chemistry License (Out of 200), amongst only 10 students to ever receive this award.
• Received High Distinction and placed in the top 30 in Western Australia on the 2007 Allian</p>

2

<p>hey michael.
I think you have very good EC's but it all comes down to acing the SAT II's, getting a high 99.xx TER, getting some pretty awsome recs and id say most importantly writing a fannnntastic essay and hope ur admission officer likes what he/she reads.</p>

3

<p>Thanks majistr8,</p>

<p>TEE score > 99 is quite likely (99.9ish hopefully), and the rest is all good as well. As for the EC's I forgot to mention that I am also first desk violist in #1 School Orchestra, and principle violist in Chamber ensemble (have been for a few years). So yeah, I suppose it comes down to how I perform in the subject tests in June. Will be right after my school exams, so i'll have studied most of the stuff already. :-D hopefully. ^^</p>

<p>Cheers</p>

<p>M</p>

<p>P.S. Are you from Australia?</p>

4

<p>I think that at some point, it's all about the essay. I for one wouldn't bother to take the SAT again, since you were in the solid 700s in everything (but I can't go back right now to check) and I honestly think that while at a certain cutoff, a score can keep you <em>out</em> of a school, once you are beyond that cutoff, my perception is that perfect scores will not get you in.</p>

<p>MIT isn't an Ivy, btw (since technically the Ivies are just the ones in the same football league ...)</p>

<p>Have you thought about Olin? or Cal Tech?</p>

<p>cheers.</p>

5

<p>yep im from australia.
you could say im from closer than you think ..?</p>

6

<p>Cheers Hayva,</p>

<p>I have thought about Cal tech, (never heard of Olin until now, it looks quite good, but they don't have aero/astro, although people tell me the mech route is almost the same), but having lived in Perth for 4 years now where 40 degree CELCSIUS Days are not unusual in the summer, i need to go somewhere COLD!! I loved washington, but anywhere in the north east is kinda my preference. lol.</p>

<p>And yeah, the essay seems to be the big one, so i'll make sure it's up to the challenge.</p>

<p>M</p>

7

<p>Closer as in WA? lol. Even then that doesn't neccessarily mean close.</p>

<p>:-D</p>

8

<p>Majistr8,</p>

<p>I know you go to Hale, LOL.</p>

<p>Now there are pretty much only three people you could be, so let's have a think.</p>

<p>^^</p>

<p>how funny, lol.</p>

<p>M</p>

<p>P.S. Shouldn't you be studying? :-P</p>

9

<p>Nihaaaaaaaaaar, lol.</p>

10

<p>(ah that is the question isnt it. alas! anonomity is key to this forum)</p>

<p>i soooo agree about the COLD idea btw! as if id leave Perth only to go to stanford or anywhere in california for that matter. But how can you stand Washington State, i rains like 8 months a year!! it falls into that 'wet' middlezone (between temperate and freezing). yuck!</p>

11

<p>LOL NIHAR is FAIL! LOL
i feel quite offended michael</p>

<p>yeh im studying! how'd applic go?</p>

<p>(soz for hijacking the thread btw)</p>

12

<p>One word - Mt. Baker. (well, two if you include the Mt.)</p>

<p>Google it, that's how i can stand it, lol.</p>

<p>And yeeahhhhh, riiight, anonymity, lol.</p>

<p>M</p>

<p>P.S. I didn't realise Hale gave FULL scholarships, thought it was only partials.</p>

13

<p>Soz, but the way i see it it's either Nihar, Ramanamanamanamanan, or Binu.</p>

<p>But, since academic scholarships are only awarded in Yr 8 (at least that's what i thought), that takes out Binu (unless you are and somehow did something lol), so then you must be Ramanan.</p>

<p>lol.</p>

<p>Cya</p>

<p>M</p>

<p>P.S. Applic went reasonably well. How bout you.</p>

<p>P.P.S. Might want to PM me instead of using this thread, lol.</p>

<p>P.P.P.S. Waiiiit, yor're def ramanan because you were the only one who took the SAT the same time as me, lol! Yes, yay for deductive reasoning, lol.</p>

14

<p>well i do have the highest scholarship, and i 'extrapolated' (exaggerated) a tad =p</p>

15

<p>But ramanan,</p>

<p>extrapolation isn't very valid....tsk tsk.</p>

<p>what was your correlation, it would have to be 1 for your claim to have value. ^^ lol</p>

<p>how's chem study going?</p>

<p>M</p>

16

<p>extrapolation isn't very valid....tsk tsk.</p>

<p>what was your correlation, it would have to be 1 for your claim to have value. ^^ lol</p>

<p>how's chem study going?</p>

<p>M</p>

17

<p>"National Society of High School Scholars"
hahaha. I got that too. I think they send that to everyone. They get your details through collegeboard. Anyway, i can't really assess you compared to other Australian applicants, but if you really want to know where you stand in terms of the international applicant pool, i suggest reviewing other peoples' chance threads, especially those who received their results this year. It will give u an indication of what MIT does and doesn't focus on.</p>

<p>Also, trim down your profile. There are some awards that aren't as impressive as the others. The Credit in Aus National Chem Quiz is given to the students in the 60-75%ile range, and the distinction in the Westpac AMC is also not overly impressive. Dont get me wrong, there are some very commendable awards, but these just don't compare, especially since rumour has it that most applicants that apply to MIT and Princeton have a Prize or beyond.</p>

<p>The fact that you have lived in many differnet countries can be a good essay topic. It was definitely mine. </p>

<p>Class ranking and your GPA (average grade on ur report) are also very crucial indicators. Please also indicate the amount of time you have spent on ur volunteer work. Your ECs do concentrate on Comm Service, but at the same time, they don't confirm your statement: Regarding EC's and Awards, I do quite a lot. Whether it may be sport, dancing, music, just list it if it is important to you. You want to give them a complete sketch of your life, but at the same time, don't put meaningful activities to increase quantity.
If there are other activities you haven't listed, please do so, coz ECs are a major factor. If not, then your ECs (although portraying passion) are quite average - they just don't dazzle.</p>

<p>There are a few awards i have never heard of so i cant really critique you on that segment, but some of your awards are impressive. The subjects that you take to get your Enter also play an important role.</p>

<p>good luck! if you have any other questions do ask.</p>

18

<p>Thanks so much Sidfromaus, that was a helpful reply.</p>

<p>As for my modified EC list.</p>

<p>COMMUNITY SERVICE:</p>

<p>• Volunteered at Haldane House Charity (One semester of 3 hours per week)
• Volunteered at the James Brown Anglican Hostel (One semester of 3 hours per week)
• Completed my Eagle Scout project. The total number of service hours logged was approx. 350 hours. Got involved with this in the US, love it, about 3 weeks away from actual ES Rank, so lot's of scouting leadership positions as well (Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant SPL, Troop Guide, Treasurer, Den Chief, Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader.)
• Prefect and currently engaged in organising a community service/charity project for school house. </p>

<p>MY TOTAL SERVICE HOURS > 215 hours</p>

<p>OTHER UNMENTIONNED ECs:</p>

<p>• Attended an Outward Bound Wales course
• Attended Kandersteg International Scouting Centre, Switzerland, which is a high adventure team building and leadership camp. (Whilst living in London)
• Invited to be among approx. 40 scouts nationwide to attend the Golden Falcon National Youth Leader Training camp in Germany (London)
• Attended Baden Powel scout camp which is an adventure scouting camp. (London)</p>

<p>• Have been playing the Viola now for 7 years
• Currently 1st Desk, 2nd Violist in the Hale St. Mary’s Camerata Orchestra (Orchestra 1)
• Principal violist in the Hale Chamber Orchestra (scholarship and music bursary holders only)</p>

<p>• Selected to be among 5 Hale students who take part in a Youth Literature Day once a term with an Australian author, to develop and further their creative writing.
• Selected into the University of Western Australia’s SmARTS program. Designed to extend and enrich participants' study as well as enhancing key skills in critical thinking and research, collaborative work, online communication, presentation and problem solving.
• Recieved the award for "Most Outstanding Contibution to Group" for this venture.</p>

<p>CLASS RANKING AND GPA:</p>

<p>Ranking is unsure - Overall probably in the Top 5-10 out of 200 (Conservative - ^^)</p>

<p>GPA is essentially the equivalent of a 4.0, I think. Straight A average.</p>

<p>Okay, so those are some things you mentionned I should probably include as well. Hopefully my ECs are a little more dazzling now (lol ^^), but Perth is a city where one can only do so much, so unfortunately, apart from missing out on Olympiads and such, I couldn't have much more. Probably most proud of partial scholarship to US Advanced Space Academy, selection to Australian International Space School, and the National Youth Science Forum.</p>

<p>Thanks again Sidfromaus,</p>

<p>M</p>